Governor of plateau State

Simon Bako Lalong, a native of Ajikamai in Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State was born on May 5th, 1963. He had his Primary School Education at R.C.M. Primary School Shendam, obtaining his First School Leaving Certificate in 1977. He also had his Secondary Education at G.S.S Shendam and obtained his O’ Level Certificate in 1982 and obtained an A’ Level in 1986. He thereafter acquired a Bachelor of Law degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1990. He went to the Lagos branch of the Nigerian Law School and had his one-year compulsory studies and was called to bar in 1991. He then went on to obtain a Masters Degree in Law (LLM) at the University of Jos in 2006.

After completing his mandatory National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) in the Legal Unit of FCDA Abuja, he started his professional career with T-Obot & Co. Legal Practitioners, Jos in 1992. He also worked with Victor Fomwul & Co.in Jos from 1997- 1999 as a Managing Partner. He later established Simon B. Lalong & Co. Legal Practitioners, becoming the principal partner.

He took part in the formation of the Peoples’ Democratic Party in Shendam L.G.A in 1998, contested and won in the State House of Assembly 1999 elections, representing Shendam consistuency. He subsequently became the Speaker of the State House of Assembly in October 2000. While serving as a Speaker, he simultaneously served as the Chairman, Nigerian Conference of Speakers from 2001- 2002. He was the National Chairman, forum of All Former Speakers of Nigeria and also Chairman of former State Legislators, Plateau State Chapter.

Simon Bako Lalong contested for the Governorship in Plateau state in the April 2015 elections under the Platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and won.

Government house

The Plateau State administrative structure is made up of the State Cabinet and independent agencies of government, the House of Assembly and Local Government Areas. The power of the executive is currently vested in the State Governor Hon. Simon Bako Lalong with his Deputy Governor Prof. Sonni Tyoden, the Chief of Staff. There is also the cabinet which comprises of Secretary to the State Government, Commissioners (cabinet members), Special Advisers, Board Chairmen, General Managers.

The House of Assembly consists of 25 members and 11 special advisers and the current Speaker of the house is Hon. Yusuf Ayuba Abok. He was elected on June 10, 2019 by his Hon. Members following the swearing in of the 9th assembly. The Local Government led by the LGA Chairman and his cabinet that consists of the elected councilors who make up the legislative arm.

Tin mining activities began in 1902 under the British and continue to present day. Jos is known for its mining industry that attracts many people from other part of. It has a lot of construction industries with printing and publishing firms. It has cash crops like maize, yam, cassava, potatoes, vegetables, millet, etc. The Jos museum possesses Teracotta figurines, bronze, pottery artifacts, etc. produced by the Nok civilization that once flourished in that area.

Plateau State has 17 Local Government Areas. Each of the LGA has ethnic groups who share affinities and diverse cultures and traditions. The LGAs are:

Barkin Ladi

Bassa

Bokkos

Jos-East

Jos-North

Jos-South

Kanam

Kanke

North Langtang

South Langtang

Mangu

Minkang

Pankshin

Qua’an Pan

Riyom

Shendam

Wase

The People

The state is made up of over forty ethno-linguistic groups and some of the indigenous tribes in the state are the Berom, Afizere, Amo, Anaguta, Aten, Bogghom, Buji, Challa, Chip, Fier, Gashish, Goemai, Irigwe, Jarawa, Jukun, Kofyar (comprising Doemak, Kwalla, and Mernyang), Montol, Mushere, Mupun, Mwaghavul, Ngas, Piapung, Pyem, Ron-Kulere, Bache, Talet, Taroh (Tarok), Youm and Fulani/Kanuri in Wase.

The predominant occupation of these people is farming. Their cultural and traditional ways of life are alike. Over the years people from other parts of country have migrate into the State for one purpose or the other such as: trade, education, vacation, etc.

Mineral Resources

Tin

Columbite

Lead/Zinc

Bentonyte and Baryte

Gem stones

Kaolin

Coal

Investment Opportunities

There are diverse sectors that are lucrative for investment in the states economy. They include:

Mineral Water Project

The Integrated Industrial Mineral Project

Metallic Mineral Dressing and Processing Plant

The Dimension Stone Projects

The Gem City Project

The Burnt (Clay) Brick Project

Agriculture: Fish Farming, Palm, cocoa and sugarcane plantation, animal husbandry, livestock production etc.

Tourism: Art Gallery, Souvenir Shops, Amusement Park, Recreational.

Tourist Sites

Shere Hills

Wase Rock

Riyom Rock Formation

Kurra Falls

Assop Falls

Pandam Game reserve

Kurang Volcanic Moutain

Rayfield Resort

Museum of Nigeria for Traditional Architecture

Joseph Gomwalk House

Jos Wildlife Park

Solomom Lar Amusement park

Projects

University of Jos.

Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators.

Federal College of Education, Pankshin.

Federal College of Forestry, Jos.

Plateau State Polytechnic

PROJECT	DESCRIPTION	CONTRACTOR	LOCAL GOVENMENT AREA
Construction of Bukuru Low Cost Road to Rantya	16, Jos South , ,	Jodalsam Nig. Ltd.	Jos South
Gyel	, , ,		Jos South
Construction of D.B. Zang Junction -Gyel,Gyero, Tanchol and Tahei	16, Jos South , ,	Foundation Solid Nig Ltd	Jos South
Bisichi-Korot-Fan-Rite-Mangu Halle with Spur to	70, B/Ladi and , ,	EEC Int. Ltd.	Mangu
Heipang, Kwi, Nding-Kassa and Rawuru Phase I	, Mangu , ,		Barkin Ladi
Pankshin-Langkang-Dyis-Sihin with Spur to Asp and Akong	16, Pankshin , ,	Foundation Solid Nig. Ltd.	Pankshin
Construction of Gunji-Shiwer-Dok-Pal with Spur to Tiplik	33, Kanke , ,	Hajaig Nig. Ltd	Kanke

 

 

 

 

Year Plan 

Plateau State have a N172bn budget estimate for the year 2020. The Plan includes:

Metering of water consumers.

Implementation of open-defecation free programme.

Partnership expanded water sanitation hygiene.

Rural Electrification of identified agric hub.

Completion of 28 road projects from previous regime and 25 roads and bridges awarded by the present administration Jos& Bukuru Metropolis.